Maoshan Academy of Dark Secret Techniques

The Taoist spoke with a deep and mature voice: “Hello, young man. I’m pleased to see you here. Allow me to introduce myself-I am Bai Dao, the founding Patriarch of the Maoshan Secret Techniques.

You are fortunate to have been chosen by me-or perhaps unfortunate, as you no longer have a choice. At the brink of death, I saved you. Now, you find yourself in a world I created. In the real world, you are already dead. But here, I have given you a second chance at life.

This place is an academy filled with ghosts, a creation of mine that took an entire year to complete.

Because of humanity’s relentless progress in science, the tradition of Maoshan Secret Techniques has almost disappeared. But in the near future, humanity will face a calamity beyond imagination. I, having already ascended, secretly returned to the mortal realm with one purpose: to train a new generation of true Maoshan Masters who can confront this impending disaster.

You-standing at the edge of death-I have brought you here because I hope you can help me resolve this crisis.”

Chen Yu began to grasp the situation. “And you’re sure I’ll do exactly as you say?”

Bai Dao smiled faintly. “Don’t you want to grow stronger? Don’t you remember being trampled on and ridiculed by your classmates? You have an exceptional mind but a frail body. I know you’ve always longed for change.”

Hearing Bai Dao bring up his past, Chen Yu clenched his fists tightly. He hated himself. He resented the dark world he lived in.

“Can you truly change my body?”

With a subtle smile, Bai Dao replied, “Of course I can. Let me first tell you about the Maoshan Secret Techniques.

In this world, there are humans as well as ghosts. There are also Immortals. When someone learns the Maoshan Secret Techniques to the point of breakthrough, they can become a fourth type of being-undying and eternal. I have already transcended the three realms, becoming a half-immortal, half-Taoist.

Within this academy-or rather, this unsolvable conundrum-lie all the fragments of Maoshan Techniques that I have left behind. These fragments will allow you to grow stronger, step by step. Next, you will face your first trial. Once you pass the admission test, you’ll meet the other successors.”

“The other successors? There are others like me?”

“Yes, they were saved by me at the brink of death, just like you. Each of them has their own reason to either grow stronger or stay here. You’ll see when the time comes.”

“Behind the blackboard, there’s a blood-red necklace. Put it on, and you’ll receive your assigned category of Maoshan Techniques. From that moment, your Entrance Exam will officially begin. Good luck.”

As soon as the Taoist finished speaking, his figure slowly faded away, and the blackboard returned to its original state. Chen Yu frantically replayed everything he had heard in his mind, trying to sort through the information.

He cautiously approached the blackboard. Moving it aside with ease, he immediately saw the blood-colored necklace. A black cord threaded through a spherical, blood-red bead.

Chen Yu picked it up and was about to examine it more closely when, to his surprise, the necklace placed itself around his neck. Instantly, he felt his body undergoing a strange sensation.

At that moment, a message echoed in his mind:

“Congratulations, you have acquired the blood necklace. You have chosen the Maoshan Secret Technique category of necromancy. With the consent of a ghost, it can choose to follow you, thereby becoming part of your own combat power. You can summon its manifestation of an evil ghost, but you’ll need to collect two fragments to unlock this ability.

Leave this classroom, enter another space, and begin your Entrance Exam.”

Suddenly, the dim door emitted a golden glow.

“So, I’m really about to face the trial of ghosts?”

“Why didn’t Bai Dao grant me abilities to vanquish ghosts? Instead, I can only make ghosts follow me? What good is that? Isn’t this just sending me to my death?”

“An Entrance Exam, huh? What’s there to fear?” Chen Yu chuckled nervously. The thought of changing himself was too tempting, pushing his fear aside for the moment. This shift in attitude, though small, marked a significant beginning.

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Yu finally convinced himself. As he approached the door, he still found it hard to take that first step.

“Once I step through, it means I’ll be confronting ghosts, having to outsmart them and interact with them. Can I really do this?”

“Sigh… I’ll leave my fate up to the heavens.”

Muttering under his breath, Chen Yu begrudgingly stepped through the glowing doorway. Little did he know, this single step would be the start of a journey that would forever change his ordinary life.

As he passed through the door, he was greeted by the sight of a quaint, ancient town. The architecture seemed to belong to another era, with rows of old but neatly constructed buildings. Red lanterns hung in front of each one, casting a dreamlike glow. If not for the style of the people’s clothing, it would have been easy to believe he had traveled back in time.

Looking up, Chen Yu saw a large, conspicuous archway bearing the inscription, “Welcome to Yellow Leaf Town.”

He took a moment to observe his surroundings more closely. Everything seemed oddly lifelike, like a small forgotten town from the real world, preserved in time.

Just then, Chen Yu’s eyes shut involuntarily-not by his own will, but by some unseen force guiding his actions.

When he reopened his eyes, he found himself standing in a white, misty expanse, with no discernible landmarks except for the silhouette of a figure in the distance, faintly waving at him.

Without fully understanding why, Chen Yu’s legs began moving, carrying him forward toward the figure ahead.

Now, his actions were no longer under his own control. He thought to himself, “It must be Bai Dao, ready to tell me the mission, right?” But as he stepped in and took a closer look, he realized-no, it wasn’t Bai Dao.

Before him stood a woman with flowing long hair, around 175 centimeters tall. Her beautiful face carried a certain heroic aura. Even the loose Taoist robe she wore couldn’t hide her great figure.

“So beautiful…”

As he approached her, Chen Yu quickly restrained his usual awkward demeanor and naturally came to a halt. “Who are you? Where’s Patriarch Bai Dao?”

The woman maintained her gentle smile. She didn’t have the cold elegance of a goddess but instead radiated warmth and approachability.

“Hello, Chen Yu. I am the Instructor for the youth class in this generation, and apart from Patriarch Bai Dao, I am the last Heir of the Maoshan Secret Techniques. My name is Duanmu.”

“Duanmu, huh? I have a question-since you’re still alive, couldn’t you just inherit the techniques and resolve the crisis yourself? Why do you need me?”

Duanmu chuckled lightly and said, “I’ve mastered the Maoshan Secret Techniques, but I have no interest in ghost hunting, demon catching, or the legends of immortality. What I truly yearn for is love. So I made a deal with Patriarch Bai Dao: as long as I lead you all through the early trials, I can leave and pursue my own happiness. This has nothing to do with you. I’m here simply to tell you how to pass your first Entrance Exam. From this point on, life and death are determined by your own fate.”

Chen Yu thought to himself, “Even the last Heir, Duanmu, wants to leave. It seems Maoshan Secret Techniques truly are on the brink of extinction, just as Bai Dao said.”

Duanmu continued, “You should have already realized the place you’re in. This is Yellow Leaf Town.

Here, there exists a good ghost and an evil ghost. Your trial is to find the good ghost and, using your own wisdom and courage, convince it to join you in defeating the evil ghost. That is your mission.

That’s all I’m allowed to tell you. The rest is up to you. Good luck!”

As Duanmu prepared to leave, Chen Yu hurriedly asked, “But how am I supposed to find the two ghosts? And what if I get killed? How will I know who’s the good ghost and who’s the evil ghost?”

Duanmu seemed a bit impatient. “You ask too many questions. I don’t have the authority to give you clues. My role is only to assign the task. From here on, you’re on your own. Goodbye!”

Chen Yu wanted to ask more, but Duanmu had already vanished. He opened his eyes, realizing he had returned from the illusion.

“What should I do?” he thought. He was all alone and had to face two actual ghosts. The overwhelming sense of despair left him speechless.

Chen Yu collected himself and calmly analyzed his situation. Perhaps this was the kind of composure one exhibits when pushed to the edge of helplessness.

He pondered, “If I encounter the evil ghost first, I might die here. But even if I find the good ghost, will it really help me?”

Looking at his weary body, Chen Yu decided not to dwell on it too much.

“Sigh, I should first find a place to stay. Then I can ask the locals and see if they have any clues.”